San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-12-07
Va1sEi .:
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HALF A TR.U TIL .
BI 1.-THE DUCHESS. "

rain; but there was no moon, and in the
narrow lanes, often overshadOwed by trees,
it was very dark, which was, perhaps, the
reason why Captain Beauregard kept his
impatient horse at the easiest of trOts,
though, even where there was more light,
the pace was not mended, and Valerie
either put this down to Over-cautiOn on her
account, or preferred not to ask questions
"5Or conscience sake"
Truly, this was happiness, this drive in
tie sweet June night Valerie felt as if
she were in dream, and maybe her COM
lauion felt the same, for he did not offer
- break the silence between them, till
they were more than mile from Dom
n.ngton; then, bending down a little, he
s@id, softly:
"Youwill promise me those three dances,
Miss Herbert, will you not
Yes" she said, simply; that is not
much, is it, in return for all your kind
mes; g'
That innocent answer brought a smile to
Max Beauregard's handsome mouth, a flash
into his dark hazel eyes
81 think" he said, "that it is far, far
more than deserve, for deserve nothing
but since you consider it so little, you tempt
me to"
"Oh Captain Boauregard," cried the
girl, laughing, II didn't mean that! You
don't think me so conceited, do you?
don't put things well, know have not
lived in the world; | didn't mean TO i'm.
ply"
There she stopped, at a loss; Captain
Beauregard came to her rescue:
al understood you perfectly | simply,
with my usual audacity, took advantage of
your lack of self-appreciation. Will you
forgive me?"
'If there is anything to forgive"
"lIiss Herbert am trying to feel peni-
tent, and you won't let me; you drive away
all my good resolutions"
"Do I? But what can dor l only say
what feel"
"Ther good-by to my last struggle for
self-rebuke. shall make nv list four"
Out rippled the girls silvery laugh,
though she colOred, too.
"If you like" she said.
''If likel And one is to be the first
waltz after supper"
Every we'll"
"a thousand thanks"
Silence again. Presently Beauregard
spoke.
81 know most of the way" he said, ''but
l suppose you can guide me if l am wrong.
Here are two roads''-he pulled up-"which
goes to WelfOrd?"
"This to the right" said Valerie. at is
scarcely half mile from here"
And the Other?-dOesn't it fetch round
to Wexford sooner or later"
eyes only it is quite two miles out Of
the way"
Beauregard paused.
at is not very late" he said in a low
tone. MAY | not take the longer route?"
Valerie drew quick breath; her lips
parted; she raised her dark eyes, shining
like stars in the gloom, to her companions
face-wistful mischieyOus eyes, that said,
in that look, Ought |? 1t would be so
nicer
And Captain Beauregard smiled, and
turned his horses head into the two miles
road
But even that road came to an end at
last, and, with a mental sigh man and girl
saw the church-spire Of Wexford looming
up against the night sky; and Valerie point
ed out the way to the Lines
You will come in and see uncle viii,
won't you, Captain Beauregard?" she said.
ale will be up still. We are not very early
people"
81 should have great pleasure in doing
so, but am afraid to leave this fellow
Faust. He would be off like shot on very
small prOvocatiOn. So must ask you to
make my excuses. | hope you will allow
me to call in day or twO?'
He pulled up before the wicket-gate as
he spoke.
ooh! yes; please call, said Valerie earn
estly. And thank you very much for
bringing me home. 1t was a delightful
driver
He had lifted her to the ground, and
barred his head now as he took her hand in
his.
"Was it," he said. 81 am so glad to hear
you say that, for know l never enjoyed
drive so much; and you did me great
honor in allowing me to escort you"
Valerie had no idea of accepting this
speech as serious truth. Captain Beaure-
gard must have enjoyed many drives much
more, and was not likely to esteem it IAN
honor" to escort home girl who must APP
pear to him scarcely more than an unsO-
phlSIlCdteu Cullu susie Sllllleu anu ohooh
her head, as deprecating the compliments;
but was too courteous and too grateful to
him to even imply that he was only play
ing off his society speeches on a country
girl
what pretty things you say, Captain
Beauregardr' she said. Goodnight"
as not truth always pretty-or more
beautiful am sure have only spoken
to you unvarnished truth. Goodnight"
He bent and touched his lips to her hand
before he released it, and watched her fit
ting up the garden path-watched till he
heard the hOuse-door open, and a hearty